Sin-bins prove crucial as Castleford lose at Odsal

Castleford Tigers fell to a 38-12 defeat at Bradford Bulls after having to play with 11 men for a crucial period in the second half.

At 20-12 it was still anyone’s game before Justin Carney was yellow carded by referee Steve Ganson for holding down in the tackle and Jamie Ellis then sin-binned under the controversial new warning system.

Bradford took full advantage as they ran in three late tries to clinch a victory by a flattering margin.

Castleford were trailing for most of the game, but stayed in the contest with some dogged defending and tries by Ellis and Kirk Dixon, who was back after recovering earlier than expected from injury. Ellis kicked two goals.

Bradford led 12-6 at half-time after tries by Brett Kearney and Adam Sidlow and two Jamie Foster goals.

Matty Blythe’s try and another Foster goal restored their six-point advantage after the Tigers hit back in the second half and Foster’s penalty then nudged them eight points up before their late scores finally clinched the hosts’ victory.

Kearney went on to complete a hat-trick and Chev Walker also crossed the line with Foster’s 100 per cent goal kicking night seeing him add three more conversions.